Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump administration pursues "grand conspiracy" investigation targeting perceived political enemies without sufficient evidence — Trump's Justice Department has spent nearly a year investigating an alleged "grand conspiracy" involving the "deep state" and Obama-era officials, issuing subpoenas to former CIA director John Brennan and ex-FBI director James Comey. The investigation, led by Trump-allied election denialists Joe diGenova and Kurt Olsen, has struggled to find evidence. DiGenova resigned on 10 September after five months; another prosecutor, Maria Medetis Long, resigned in April citing concerns about the investigation's direction. Former DOJ Inspector General Michael Bromwich criticized the inquiry for "starting with designated targets" and "searching for facts to support the theory."

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• DOJ closed 23,000 criminal cases under Bondi — ProPublica reported that in the first days after Pam Bondi was appointed Attorney General, the DOJ began shutting down pending criminal cases at a record pace. The cases included investigations into a Virginia nursing home with a record of patient abuse, probes of fraud involving New Jersey labor unions (including one opened after a top union official was accused of embezzlement), and an investigation into a crypto company suspected of cheating investors. In total, the DOJ quietly closed more than 23,000 criminal cases in the first six months of Trump's administration, abandoning hundreds of investigations into terrorism, white-collar crime, drugs, and other offenses as it shifted resources to pursue immigration cases. The bulk of these cases, known as declinations, had been referred to the DOJ by law enforcement agencies under prior administrations that believed a federal crime may have been committed. The number of declinations under Bondi marks a striking departure from both the Biden administration and the first Trump term. The shift comes as the DOJ has undergone an extraordinary overhaul, with entire units shuttered, directives to abandon pursuit of certain crimes, and thousands of lawyers quitting or being forced out.

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• Prosecutor resigns under protest in Broadview Six case — Sheri Mecklenburg, a career Department of Justice prosecutor near retirement, resigned on September 26 in protest over the handling of felony charges against six Democratic activists arrested at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility protest in Illinois. In her resignation letter, Mecklenburg alleged that U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, a Trump supporter, had personally directed the felony prosecution against her objection that misdemeanor charges were more appropriate, threatened to fire her if she pushed back, and later scapegoated her for prosecutorial misconduct when the cases fell apart.

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• Comey's Lawyers File Motion Against Indictment — James Comey's lawyers filed motions to dismiss federal charges against him, citing vindictive and selective prosecution linked to Trump's desire for Comey to be indicted. They argue that irregularities in the grand jury process influenced the indictment and request access to grand jury transcripts.

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• DOJ moves to dismiss charges against David Hearn — The Department of Justice filed to dismiss criminal charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The DOJ's filing stated that the damage was due to flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, rather than vandalism. This move follows a series of events where the Trump administration blamed Hearn for the pool's issues, despite evidence suggesting the problems stemmed from the renovation process itself.
• Dismissal of DOJ Case Against David Hearn — The Department of Justice case against David Hearn for vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was dismissed after his lawyers argued that the government's witness testified the pool was already damaged before Hearn approached it. They claimed irregularities in the grand jury's proceedings, suggesting that the indictment may have been influenced by misconduct. This dismissal raises concerns about the integrity of the DOJ's handling of grand jury processes.
• Trump Administration Drops Charges Against Lincoln Memorial Vandalism Defendants — Federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office, led by Jeanine Pirro, moved to dismiss misdemeanor charges against three defendants accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. This follows a previous decision to drop felony charges against former Olympian David Hearn for similar accusations. The decision has reportedly caused tension within the Trump administration.
• DOJ dismisses felony charge against David Hearn in reflecting pool case — The Trump administration's Department of Justice moved to dismiss a felony property destruction charge against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn on Friday, citing newly obtained Interior Department documents showing the pool liner damage resulted from faulty contractor installation, not vandalism. Hearn had been arrested on June 19 and faced up to 10 years in prison. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office filed a 20-page motion stating the damage stemmed from a "rushed and flawed installation process." President Trump publicly criticized Pirro's decision, saying she "choked" and "folded like an umbrella," sparking speculation about her job security.
• Charges Dropped Against Three Accused of Vandalism — Charges have been dropped against three individuals who were falsely accused of destroying the reflecting pool. This development comes amid political tensions and accusations of misinformation.

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• Stanley Woodward Jr. signs settlement agreement on behalf of the United States — Stanley E. Woodward Jr., a defense attorney who has represented Trump associates including FBI Director Kash Patel, Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro, Walt Nauta, and numerous January 6 defendants, signed the settlement agreement on behalf of the United States rather than Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Woodward's representation of Trump's orbit creates a conflict of interest in negotiating an agreement purportedly on behalf of the government.
• Treasury Department's top lawyer Brian Morrissey resigns — Brian Morrissey, the Treasury Department's top lawyer, resigned following the announcement of the Trump administration's agreement with the IRS regarding the $1.776 billion fund.
• Treasury Department general counsel resigned amid Trump settlement announcement — Brian Morrissey, the Treasury Department's general counsel and a former clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, resigned as the government announced a controversial settlement with Trump. Morrissey, who joined the Trump administration last year as the president's pick for the position after previously serving at the agency and DOJ during Trump's first term, did not respond to requests for comment. The Treasury Department holds responsibility for approving use of the government's judgment fund, an uncapped pot of money used to settle lawsuits.

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• Fired judges file suit challenging terminations; Merit Systems Protection Board denies jurisdiction — A group of fired immigration judges filed suit against the Department of Justice challenging the administration's authority to terminate immigration judges without cause or explanation. The Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent federal agency created to protect federal employees from political termination, ruled it had no jurisdiction to review the removals. The fired judges are appealing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, arguing the decision departs from more than a century of civil service precedent protecting judges from at-will removal.

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• Fired judges file suit challenging terminations; Merit Systems Protection Board denies jurisdiction — A group of fired immigration judges filed suit against the Department of Justice challenging the administration's authority to terminate immigration judges without cause or explanation. The Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent federal agency created to protect federal employees from political termination, ruled it had no jurisdiction to review the removals. The fired judges are appealing to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, arguing the decision departs from more than a century of civil service precedent protecting judges from at-will removal.

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• Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche asked Supreme Court to intervene in E. Jean Carroll case — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Department of Justice would ask the Supreme Court to permit the DOJ to intervene in the defamation case brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll, who won an $83.3 million jury verdict against Trump for defamation after he falsely denied sexually assaulting her. If the Supreme Court allows the DOJ to substitute itself for Trump as defendant, the case would be dismissed because plaintiffs cannot sue the federal government for defamation. Appeals court judges had already refused to permit such a substitution.

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• Attorney General announces indictment of former FBI Director James Comey — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that a federal grand jury in North Carolina had indicted former FBI Director James Comey with threatening Trump. The charges stemmed from an Instagram post Comey made of seashells arranged to spell "86 47," which he deleted and apologized for, stating he was unaware the number could convey violent intent. The DOJ completed its investigation nearly a year later and chose to announce the charges days after the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting.
• Acting Attorney General Blanche announces DOJ evidence in Comey case — On May 3, 2026, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Department of Justice has "evidence of all sorts" from an 11-month investigation into James Comey that it will present at trial. This statement came as part of the prosecution of Comey on charges related to the Instagram seashell post, which legal experts characterized as a weak case designed to appease Trump.
• Attorney General Blanche addressed selective prosecution of '86 47' posts. — Attorney General Todd Blanche was asked on NBC whether other people would be prosecuted for posting "86 47" or only James Comey. Blanche responded that the phrase is "posted constantly" and "used constantly," stating that "every single case depends on the investigation that is done."

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• Federal grand jury indicts Southern Poverty Law Center for wire fraud, false statements, and money laundering conspiracy — A federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama, returned an indictment charging the Southern Poverty Law Center with 11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. The indictment alleges that between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC funneled more than $3 million in donated funds to individuals associated with violent extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and National Socialist Party of America, while publicly claiming to oppose those groups. The DOJ alleges the organization used fictitious bank accounts to conceal the scheme and made false statements to financial institutions.
• Acting Attorney General Blanche announces 11-count indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center — Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche held a press conference announcing an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, charging the civil rights organization with wire fraud, making false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to launder money. The charges relate to a now-defunct program in which the SPLC paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and shared information with law enforcement. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing. The indictment was widely viewed as an effort by Blanche to demonstrate to Trump his willingness to use the DOJ against political rivals.
• DOJ pressured prosecutors to indict Southern Poverty Law Center despite case-strength concerns, whistleblower alleges — A Department of Justice lawyer, Aakash Singh, reportedly pressured federal prosecutors in Alabama to rush an 11-count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center despite serious concerns about the case's strength, according to a whistleblower account shared with House Democrats. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment on April 21, accusing the civil rights organization of wire fraud and money laundering related to an informant program. Democrats Jamie Raskin and Mary Gay Scanlon opened an investigation into the matter, citing Singh's directive to prosecutors to expedite charges. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing.
• Justice Department indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges — Trump's Justice Department indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges, alleging the civil rights organization defrauded donors by secretly paying informants more than $3 million to infiltrate white supremacist and extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan. The tactic of using paid informants has been used by the FBI and other federal agencies for decades. Critics characterized the indictment as "nakedly political."
• DOJ indicts Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges — The Department of Justice, through Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, announced an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) by an Alabama grand jury. The charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, alleging the SPLC funneled over $3 million to confidential informants within extremist groups between 2014 and 2023 using fictitious entities, and misrepresented to donors and banks how funds were being used. The SPLC's CEO Bryan Fair disputed the allegations and stated the informant program "saved lives."
• Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges by Trump administration DOJ — The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted on federal fraud charges by acting attorney general Todd Blanche, alleging the organization improperly paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups without disclosing payments to donors. The indictment claims at least $3 million went to informants affiliated with the KKK, Aryan Nations, and other groups between 2014 and 2023. SPLC CEO Bryan Fair stated the payments were necessary to monitor violence threats and that information was shared with the FBI and law enforcement. Charges include wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
• DOJ indicted Southern Poverty Law Center for fraud — The Department of Justice indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, alleging that SPLC used donor money to pay informants to infiltrate right-wing hate groups, but claiming the purpose was to create false flags to instigate violence and racist demonstrations. The indictment has refueled conspiracy theories that the January 6 insurrection was instigated by infiltrators paid by left-wing groups. Rep. Dan Goldman criticized the indictment as legally baseless, comparing it to prosecuting the FBI for funding drug trafficking through informants.

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• Acting Attorney General Blanche announces 11-count indictment of Southern Poverty Law Center — Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche held a press conference announcing an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, charging the civil rights organization with wire fraud, making false statements to a bank, and conspiracy to launder money. The charges relate to a now-defunct program in which the SPLC paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and shared information with law enforcement. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing. The indictment was widely viewed as an effort by Blanche to demonstrate to Trump his willingness to use the DOJ against political rivals.
• DOJ pressured prosecutors to indict Southern Poverty Law Center despite case-strength concerns, whistleblower alleges — A Department of Justice lawyer, Aakash Singh, reportedly pressured federal prosecutors in Alabama to rush an 11-count indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center despite serious concerns about the case's strength, according to a whistleblower account shared with House Democrats. Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment on April 21, accusing the civil rights organization of wire fraud and money laundering related to an informant program. Democrats Jamie Raskin and Mary Gay Scanlon opened an investigation into the matter, citing Singh's directive to prosecutors to expedite charges. Legal experts have characterized the charges as weak, and the SPLC has denied all wrongdoing.

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• Joe DiGenova sworn in to lead "Russia hoax investigation" — On April 20, 2026, Joe DiGenova, an 81-year-old former Trump election lawyer and conspiracy theorist, was sworn in to oversee a multi-year "grand conspiracy" investigation against Trump's perceived enemies, including former CIA director John Brennan. DiGenova stated that Trump "personally asked" him to lead the investigation and publicly sketched a grand conspiracy narrative framing investigations into Trump as a coordinated plot to deny him civil rights.

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• Dhillon directs civil rights division to investigate Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for alleged race discrimination — After Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is Black, spoke about hiring Black people in his administration to ensure they "look out for the interest of Black folks," the civil rights division's official account posted a letter from Dhillon informing Johnson he was under investigation for violating the 1964 Civil Rights Act's prohibition on race discrimination. The investigation was announced publicly on social media the day after Johnson's remarks, a highly unusual practice that alarmed former civil rights lawyers and signals the weaponization of civil rights law against efforts to address racial equity.
• Dhillon directs investigation into Cassidy Hutchinson, January 6 committee witness — The civil rights division, under Dhillon's oversight, is investigating Cassidy Hutchinson, the former Trump aide who gave vivid testimony to the January 6 committee about the president's actions on that day. The source notes it is unclear what civil rights violation, if any, Hutchinson committed. The investigation appears retaliatory against a witness who testified against Trump.
• Dhillon directs investigation into Pennsylvania school bus driver firing over "English only" sign — In December 2025, after a local news outlet published a story about a Pennsylvania school bus driver being fired for posting an "English only" sign on her bus, Dhillon posted that she had directed the civil rights division to open an investigation into "this situation implicating DEI wokeness." The investigation was announced on social media days after learning of the incident, departing sharply from standard practice in which the civil rights division does not publicly announce investigations or release letters informing targets they are under investigation.
• Dhillon posts on social media about ongoing DOJ investigations in early stages — Harmeet Dhillon, with 1.3 million followers on her personal X account, has posted official department letters on X announcing civil rights investigations, a highly unusual practice that has alarmed former civil rights division lawyers. The practice violates longstanding norms that investigations remain confidential until formal notice is provided. Dhillon has also posted about investigations in early stages, departing from standard practice in which the civil rights division does not publicly announce investigations.

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• Judge James Boasberg quashes grand jury subpoena for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell — U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued a 37-page ruling on March 13, 2026, quashing a grand jury subpoena for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Boasberg found "abundant evidence that the subpoenas' dominant (if not sole) purpose is to harass and pressure Powell either to yield to the president or to resign and make way for a Fed chair who will." The judge noted the government offered no evidence that Powell committed any crime "other than displeasing the president." Trump had been waging a public campaign against Powell to lower interest rates faster and attacked Boasberg on Truth Social following the ruling.

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• Judge Aileen Cannon blocked release of Special Counsel Jack Smith's classified documents report — U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon issued an order permanently blocking the release of Volume Two of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on classified documents. Cannon ruled that releasing the report would be "unfair" to Trump and his co-defendants, citing her prior conclusion that the Special Counsel lacked lawful authority. The Department of Justice did not oppose the motion, allowing Cannon to write that "all parties agree" disclosure would violate the court's dismissal order. The decision shields the report from public scrutiny.
• Judge Cannon permanently blocks release of Jack Smith's classified documents report — US District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, issued a permanent injunction barring the Department of Justice from releasing Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on the classified documents case (Volume II). Cannon condemned Smith's compilation of the report after she had dismissed the underlying case in 2024 on grounds of unlawful appointment, calling it a "brazen stratagem" and a breach of her dismissal order. She ruled that release would expose grand jury material and cause irreparable harm to Trump, distinguishing the case from prior special counsel reports (Mueller) that were publicly released.
• Judge Aileen Cannon blocked release of Jack Smith's classified documents report — Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, blocked the release of Special Counsel Jack Smith's report on his investigation of Trump's retention of classified documents after leaving office in 2021. It is standard procedure for a special counsel's report to be made public. Legal analyst Joyce White Vance noted that Cannon has consistently worked to suppress Smith's report and that Trump's fierce fight to keep it under wraps has led to speculation about surprising contents.
• Judge blocks release of Jack Smith’s report on Trump — Judge Aileen Cannon blocked the release of special counsel Jack Smith's report regarding Trump's retention of classified documents. This decision is notable as it deviates from the usual procedure of making such reports public, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

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• Judge declares mistrial in Texas ICE protest terrorism case over defense attorney's civil rights shirt — US District Judge Mark Pittman, a Trump appointee, declared a mistrial in a federal case against nine protesters charged with terrorism for a July 4 demonstration at an ICE detention facility near Fort Worth. Pittam halted jury selection after defense attorney MarQuetta Clayton wore a shirt displaying civil rights movement imagery, claiming it could bias jurors. Clayton had been visible in court all day before Pittman intervened only when she began questioning potential jurors. The mistrial requires a complete restart with a new jury panel.

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• Immigration judges fired without cause under Trump's second term — Approximately 100 of 735 immigration judges nationwide have been fired without cause since Trump's second term began in 2025, including judges with low asylum grant rates. The Justice Department is actively recruiting replacements and has made clear through recruiting materials that "conscientious adjudication of asylum claims is no longer the point," explicitly advertising positions as "deportation judge" roles focused on maximizing deportations rather than fair adjudication.

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• Grand Jury Unanimously Rejects DOJ Indictment of Six Democratic Lawmakers — A federal grand jury unanimously rejected the Trump administration's effort to indict six Democratic lawmakers over their involvement in a viral video urging military members to refuse illegal orders. According to NBC News, not a single grand juror found that the Justice Department met the probable cause threshold. The rejection represents a rare judicial check on the administration's use of law enforcement to target political opponents, though Senator Mark Kelly characterized the attempt itself as a "master alarm flashing for our democracy."
• Grand jury refuses to indict six Democratic members of Congress for military loyalty video — A Washington, D.C. grand jury refused to indict six Democratic members of Congress—Senators Mark Kelly (AZ), Elissa Slotkin (MI), and Representatives Jason Crow (CO), Chris Deluzio (PA), Maggie Goodlander (NH), and Chrissy Houlahan (PA)—all military veterans or former intelligence officials, for violating a federal statute criminalizing interference with military loyalty, morale, or discipline. The members had recorded a video in November reminding service members they must refuse illegal orders. Trump characterized the conduct as "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" The New York Times called the grand jury's refusal "a remarkable rebuke" of the administration's attempts to harass perceived opponents.
• Grand jury declined to indict Democratic senators for military refusal statement — On 11 February 2026, a grand jury failed to indict Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona and five other Democrats for releasing a video statement encouraging military members to "refuse illegal orders." The DOJ's prosecution attempt was abandoned after the grand jury declined to indict, despite Trump labeling the Democrats' message "seditious behavior punishable by death."
• Grand jury declines to indict six Democratic lawmakers over military dissent video — A Washington DC grand jury declined to indict six Democratic lawmakers—Elissa Slotkin, Mark Kelly, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan—who created a video urging troops to refuse illegal orders. Federal prosecutors, acting at Trump's direction, had sought indictment. Trump called the video "seditious" and "punishable by death." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth censured Kelly and attempted to reduce his rank and pension. Kelly filed a lawsuit against Hegseth claiming the video was protected speech.
• Grand jury declines to indict six Democratic lawmakers over military video — A federal grand jury in Washington DC declined to indict six Democratic members of Congress—Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, and House members Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Chris Deluzio—who posted a video urging service members to resist unlawful orders. The Trump administration, through U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, had sought indictment on charges the lawmakers characterized as politically motivated. Kelly and Slotkin held a press conference condemning the prosecution attempt as weaponization of the Justice Department and an authoritarian tactic to silence dissent.
• Federal grand jury refuses to indict Democratic lawmakers for speech — A federal grand jury refused to indict Senator Mark Kelly and other Democratic lawmakers for their speech regarding constitutional obligations and illegal orders. Senator Elissa Slotkin warned that the DOJ may attempt to indict them again.
• DOJ attempted to indict six Democratic lawmakers; grand jury rejected indictment — The Department of Justice attempted to secure an indictment against six Democratic lawmakers over a military video urging members of the military and intelligence communities to uphold their oaths. A federal grand jury unanimously rejected the prosecution's case, finding the government had not met the threshold of probable cause. The DOJ lawyers who brought the case were political appointees without prior federal prosecution experience. Former federal prosecutors noted this outcome was extraordinarily rare.

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• DOJ established controlled in-person review system for congressional Epstein files access — The Department of Justice opened an in-person review facility in Washington on February 9, 2026, allowing members of Congress to search unredacted Epstein records under tight controls on access and note-taking. This was the sole mechanism established for congressional review of unredacted files following passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in late 2025, which required DOJ to release unclassified Epstein-related records. The DOJ controlled all variables of the review process, including which files could be accessed, how searches were conducted, and what records were kept of congressional activity.
• DOJ tracked congressional searches in Epstein files review system — Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared at a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on February 11, 2026, carrying a printed document labeled "Jayapal Pramila Search History" that detailed Rep. Pramila Jayapal's searches within the DOJ's controlled, members-only review system for unredacted Epstein records. A Reuters photographer captured the document. The DOJ had established the in-person review system on February 9, 2026, as the sole mechanism for congressional access to unredacted Epstein files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The revelation suggests the DOJ monitored lawmakers' investigative activity and used that intelligence during the oversight hearing itself.
• DOJ surveilled House member's access to Epstein files — During Attorney General Bondi's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, a photograph captured by Reuters showed a page of Bondi's briefing book with a printout titled "Jayapal Pramila Search History," appearing to be files showing what Representative Pramila Jayapal accessed after the DOJ made some Epstein files available at DOJ offices. This represents executive branch surveillance of a legislative branch member's document access. Representative Jamie Raskin, top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, said he will ask for an investigation of this "outrageous abuse of power."
• Ranking Member Raskin requested DOJ Inspector General investigation into congressional surveillance — House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin formally requested that the DOJ Inspector General investigate the DOJ's apparent surveillance of lawmakers' searches in the Epstein files review system. Raskin stated he had "reason to believe that it was happening to everyone," not just Rep. Jayapal. He also called for the DOJ to immediately stop tracking member searches, open Epstein file review to senior congressional staff, and publicly release all remaining files with only survivor information properly redacted.
• Rep. Jayapal organized formal congressional letter demanding investigation into surveillance — Rep. Pramila Jayapal organized a formal congressional letter demanding an investigation into what she characterized as improper surveillance of Congress by the DOJ. Jayapal also raised the question of whether the DOJ's decision to open the Epstein files to congressional review two days early was intended to allow the DOJ to surveil members' searches and anticipate their questions for the oversight hearing.
• DOJ tracked congressional members' Epstein files research and displayed search records at hearing — During a House oversight hearing on Wednesday, US Attorney General Pam Bondi displayed a document titled "Jayapal Pramila Search History" showing which Epstein files Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal had accessed. The DOJ confirmed it monitors all Epstein file searches by lawmakers on its systems. Congressional members, including Jamie Raskin and Jayapal, alleged the tracking violates separation of powers and constitutes surveillance designed to anticipate questions and gather intelligence on their investigative activities.
• DOJ surveilled Congress members' search history of Epstein files — Multiple members of Congress confirmed that the Department of Justice tracked and monitored which Epstein documents members of Congress searched, opened, and reviewed, including timestamps. Rep. Pramila Jayapal reported that AG Bondi presented her with a printed search history of her email searches. Rep. Nancy Mace confirmed the DOJ was tagging all documents searched by members and that timestamps were associated with the tracking. Speaker Mike Johnson stated he was investigating the allegations.
• DOJ monitored congressional search history in Epstein files review system — Attorney General Pam Bondi carried a printed document labeled "Jayapal Pramila Search History" into a House Judiciary oversight hearing, revealing that the Department of Justice had tracked which Epstein-related files Rep. Pramila Jayapal searched within DOJ's controlled, members-only review system. The executive branch collected intelligence on the legislative branch's investigation of the executive branch. Rep. Jamie Raskin called the practice Orwellian and requested a DOJ Inspector General investigation; Rep. Jayapal is organizing a congressional letter demanding answers.
• Racist video of Obamas posted on Trump's Truth Social account — A racist video depicting the Obamas as apes appeared on President Trump's official Truth Social account. The video was removed, but Trump refused to apologize and claimed a staffer posted it without review. The incident occurred on an official presidential account.

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• DOJ fired federal prosecutor who declined to prosecute Comey — MS NOW reported that the Justice Department fired a federal prosecutor who served as first assistant to the now-disqualified U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan after he declined to lead the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.
• Six DOJ Civil Rights Division leaders resigned in protest — At least six leaders of the criminal section of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest after the DOJ decided not to investigate the ICE officer who shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, a process that usually takes place after any fatal shooting by a law enforcement officer.
• Federal leadership responded to ICE killings with defensive messaging and threats toward critics — After Renee Good was killed by ICE, federal leadership responded with defensive messaging, threats toward critics, and rhetoric framing accountability as an attack on law enforcement. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem appeared publicly behind messaging stating "One of ours, all of yours," signaling protection from consequences rather than transparency or restraint.
• DOJ Civil Rights Division officials resigned after being ordered not to investigate ICE agent's killing of Renee Nicole Good — Four high-ranking officials in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest after the Trump DOJ instructed them to investigate the victim, Renee Nicole Good, rather than the ICE agent who shot and killed her. The resignations follow a February wave of departures from the DOJ's Public Integrity Section, where prosecutors refused orders to dismiss a bribery case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The departures reflect broader institutional collapse within the DOJ, with thousands of career officials resigning or fired.
• Four leaders of DOJ Civil Rights Division criminal section resigned over ICE shooting decision — At least four leaders of the criminal section of the Civil Rights Division at DOJ resigned to protest the decision by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon not to investigate the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good. The departures included the chief of the section, principal deputy chief, deputy chief, and acting deputy chief. This represents the most significant mass resignation at DOJ since February 2025, when five leaders of the Public Integrity Section resigned rather than comply with orders to dismiss the bribery case against former New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
• Department of Justice declined to investigate shooting as civil rights violation — The Department of Justice declined to investigate the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross as a civil rights attack. Instead, the DOJ classified the incident as an assault on a federal officer and initiated an investigation into Good's ties to local activists rather than examining the shooting itself. This prosecutorial decision prompted the resignation of at least six career prosecutors from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
• DOJ declines civil-rights investigation into Minneapolis ICE shooting — The Trump administration's Department of Justice leadership declined to open a civil-rights investigation into a Minneapolis ICE shooting incident, stating there was "no basis" for review while the FBI continues its investigation. In response, four senior supervisors in DOJ's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest, citing their exclusion from the case and objecting to the refusal to initiate civil-rights oversight. The resignations signal internal resistance to narrowing accountability mechanisms.
• Federal prosecutors resign from DOJ civil rights division over blocked investigation into ICE shooting — Six lawyers from the US attorney's office in Minnesota and four leaders of the DOJ civil rights division resigned in protest after the department, under assistant attorney general Harmeet Dhillon, declined to investigate the January 7 fatal shooting of unarmed civilian Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated there was "no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation" without elaboration. The resignations reflect broader purging of the civil rights division, which has lost roughly 70% of its staff since Trump's second term began.
• Federal prosecutors resign in protest over DOJ decision not to investigate killing of Renee Nicole Good — Several federal prosecutors resigned in protest after the Department of Justice declined to conduct a civil rights investigation into the killing of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. The killing sparked widespread protests and prompted state and local legal challenges to the federal immigration enforcement operation. The Trump administration has defended the agent's actions as self-defense, a characterization disputed by local officials and video evidence.
• Four senior DOJ Civil Rights Division supervisors resign over case exclusion — Four senior supervisors in the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned after being told they would be sidelined from the Minnesota ICE shooting investigation. The resignations were framed as protest against both their exclusion from the case and the broader refusal to open civil-rights oversight into the use-of-force incident. The departures represent internal institutional resistance to the narrowing of accountability mechanisms.
• Six career prosecutors resigned from DOJ Civil Rights Division — At least six career prosecutors from the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division resigned in protest over the DOJ's decision not to investigate the fatal shooting of Renee Good as a civil rights violation and instead to investigate Good's ties to local activists.
• DOJ declines to open civil-rights investigation into Minneapolis ICE shooting — The Department of Justice announced it found "no basis" to open a civil-rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The decision was made by DOJ leadership and signaled that civil-rights review would be granted only at the administration's discretion. The refusal to investigate followed the fatal incident and preceded the resignation of four senior DOJ Civil Rights Division supervisors.
• DOJ Civil Rights Division head Harmeet Dhillon declines to open investigation into ICE agent's fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good — Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, instructed federal prosecutors in the division's criminal section that she would not open an investigation into whether the ICE agent who shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis violated federal law. The Civil Rights Division's criminal section normally handles investigations into law enforcement misconduct, but no probe was announced publicly or pursued internally.
• DOJ senior officials pressure federal prosecutors to investigate Renee Nicole Good's widow for criminality; six prosecutors resign — Senior DOJ officials pressed federal prosecutors to investigate Becca Good, widow of Renee Nicole Good, for possible criminality before the shooting. Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington, D.C.—including some who worked on fraud-related investigations—resigned in response to the pressure to pursue Good's family rather than investigate the ICE agent's conduct. The prosecutors' resignations were prompted by the DOJ's attempt to weaponize the fatal shooting and redirect the FBI's probe toward Good's family and their connections to local activist groups.
• DOJ civil rights division and federal prosecutors resign over handling of ICE shooting — At least four senior leaders of the DOJ Civil Rights Division and six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned in response to how the Trump administration handled the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. The resignations signal institutional breakdown and loss of confidence in federal accountability mechanisms.

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• Senator Slotkin said she is under federal investigation — Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said in an interview that federal prosecutors are investigating her for participating in a video with other Democratic lawmakers calling on military members to refuse illegal orders.
• DOJ threatens Federal Reserve with criminal indictment over interest rate policy — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell publicly stated that the Department of Justice threatened criminal charges against the Fed related to a multi-year renovation project of Federal Reserve office buildings. Powell characterized the threat as retaliation for the Fed's decision to set interest rates based on economic conditions rather than presidential preference, stating the threat was "a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President."
• Federal investigation opened against Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin for video urging troops to refuse illegal orders — Michigan senator Elissa Slotkin announced she is under federal investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for her participation in a video released in 2025 in which she and five other Democratic lawmakers with military backgrounds urged U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders. The video's message aligns with established military law and constitutional principle. President Trump called the video "seditious behavior by traitors" punishable by death; the White House later clarified he did not seek execution but wanted them "held accountable." Slotkin characterized the investigation as weaponization of federal government to intimidate political opponents.
• Senator Elissa Slotkin faces federal criminal investigation for oath video — Senator Elissa Slotkin is now under federal criminal investigation for appearing in a video urging service members to remember their oath and refuse illegal orders. The investigation represents potential criminalization of speech encouraging military personnel to uphold constitutional obligations and refuse unlawful commands.
• Four additional Democratic lawmakers said they are under investigation — Four additional Democratic lawmakers said they are being investigated by the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia over their participation in a viral video calling on military members to refuse illegal orders.
• Trump DOJ investigates Democratic lawmakers over military video on illegal orders — Three House Democrats—Jason Crow (Colorado), Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire), and Chrissy Houlahan (Pennsylvania)—confirmed that the U.S. Attorney's Office for D.C., led by Jeanine Pirro, requested interviews regarding their participation in a November video instructing troops they need not comply with illegal orders. The investigation expands to five lawmakers total; the Pentagon also formally censured Senator Mark Kelly and launched administrative proceedings. Trump called the video "seditious" and threatened capital punishment, later walking back but maintaining the lawmakers face "serious jeopardy."

Supporting reports

• Minnesota state officials initiate parallel investigation after FBI exclusion — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced a separate state investigation into the shooting after the FBI excluded them from the federal inquiry. They requested public submission of evidence and video footage. Moriarty stated the FBI had seized the vehicle and withheld forensic results, breaking prior agreements for a joint investigation.
• FBI assumes exclusive control of ICE shooting investigation, excludes Minnesota state authorities — The FBI took full control of the investigation into ICE agent Jonathan E Ross's fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, reversing an initial agreement to allow Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to assist. Federal officials revoked the BCA's access to case materials, witnesses, and evidence, forcing the state agency to withdraw. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied the BCA was excluded, citing jurisdiction, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed concern about achieving a fair outcome given that federal officials had already publicly defended the shooting.
• FBI excludes state and local investigators from examination of ICE shooting death — Following the January 8 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer, the FBI took control of the investigation and excluded Minnesota state and local investigators from examining the killing. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison publicly objected to this exclusion. The move prevented state oversight of federal law enforcement conduct and contributed to public demands for an independent investigation.
• FBI seizes exclusive control of ICE shooting investigation, excludes Minnesota state investigators — Following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross during an immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis on January 8, the FBI took over the investigation and excluded Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from access to evidence, the vehicle, and forensic results. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and state officials demanded inclusion in the inquiry, citing concerns about impartiality. Vice President JD Vance claimed the agent enjoyed "absolute immunity" from prosecution without legal basis.
• FBI takes control of Minneapolis ICE shooting investigation — The FBI took control of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension stated its access to case materials, witnesses, and evidence had been revoked. This federalization of the investigation occurred one day before the Portland shooting and amid criticism of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement.
• Immigration agents shot at people 16 times under Trump's expanded enforcement crackdown — Under Trump's second-term immigration crackdown, federal immigration agents have been involved in 16 shootings as of January 9, 2026, according to data compiled by the Trace. The incidents coincide with expanded enforcement operations that began in June 2025 and have expanded to multiple cities including Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago, Memphis, Portland, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Minneapolis. Since July 2025, immigration agents have killed four people and injured seven more. The most recent shooting occurred in Minneapolis on January 8, where federal agents fatally shot a woman during a large-scale ICE enforcement action; another shooting occurred in Portland the following day.

Supporting reports

• Alina Habba resigns as New Jersey U.S. attorney after appeals court disqualification — Alina Habba became the first of Trump's unlawful appointments to resign after an appeals court disqualified her from serving as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor. Her resignation clears the way for judges in the federal district to select a new U.S. attorney. Habba's departure follows successful legal challenges to other Trump appointees who were placed in office through temporary appointments that bypassed Senate confirmation.
• Challenges to Trump's unlawful U.S. attorney appointments succeed; Lindsey Halligan defeated — Defendants successfully challenged several of Trump's temporary U.S. attorney appointments made to circumvent Senate confirmation. Most notably, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James succeeded in challenging Lindsey Halligan, whom Trump had appointed to bring criminal cases against them. These legal victories demonstrate that courts are willing to invalidate Trump's unlawful appointments of loyalists to key federal prosecutor positions.
• Judge ruled Trump's acting U.S. attorney holds office unlawfully — U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield ruled that John Sarcone, Trump's temporary nominee as acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, does not hold that position lawfully. Trump ignored the law to keep his loyalists in control of key Department of Justice offices. Although judges have said five of Trump-appointed U.S. attorneys are in office illegally, at least three have refused to step down.
• Federal judge removes Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for unlawful appointment — Ex-Trump campaign lawyer John Sarcone has been disqualified from investigating New York Attorney General Letitia James because he was unlawfully appointed. Sarcone is the fifth Trump-installed U.S. attorney to be removed by a federal judge for similar appointment violations.

Supporting reports

• White House takes control of Justice Department X account — The White House took over the X account of the Justice Department on December 23. On the same day, that account posted a message claiming that accusations in the Epstein files are "unfounded and false."
• Trump White House assumed control of DOJ social media accounts — Following bizarre exchanges on the DOJ's official social media account, reporting from Axios revealed that the Trump White House has assumed direct control over the Department of Justice's social media accounts. The article notes this explains the unprofessional tone of the exchanges and raises concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department.